Pastor Matt's Blogosphere

2009-11-06T08:46:00.002-06:00

Hate Crime?

Shouldn't yesterdays killings be considered a hate crime act? After all, it was a Muslim shooting non-Muslims. Wouldn't that apply?

Traditional marriage now 31-0 (OneNewsNow.com)

2009-11-04T14:18:00.000-06:00

Traditional marriage now 31-0 (OneNewsNow.com)

What do you think this means nationally?

2009-11-02T09:58:00.000-06:00

Obama signs 'hate-crimes' bill into law
'It's a very sad day for America and for religious liberties'

Posted: October 28, 2009
3:57 pm Eastern

By Chelsea Schilling
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

A "hate crimes" bill opponents claim will be used to crack down on Christian speech, even the reading of the Bible, was signed into law today by President Obama.

The Senate approved the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act by a vote of 68-29 on Oct. 22 after Democrats strategically attached it to a "must-pass" $680 billion defense appropriations plan.

Most Republicans, although normally strong supporters of the U.S. military, opposed the bill because it hands out federal money to states and local governments in pursuit of "preventing" hate crimes. The bill creates federal protections and privileges for homosexuals and other alternative lifestyles but denies those protections to other groups of citizens.

Obama signed the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act at a White House ceremony today. Prior to signing the act into law, Obama spoke briefly of the hate crimes bill.

"After more than a decade, we've passed inclusive hate-crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray or who they are," he said. "I promised Judy Shepard when she saw me in the Oval Office that this day would come, and I'm glad that she and her husband, Dennis, could join us for this event. I'm also honored to have the family of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy who fought so hard for this legislation. I just want you all to know how proud we are of the work that Ted did to help make this day possible."

American Family Association President Tim Wildmon warned that the new law "creates a kind of caste system in law enforcement, where the perverse thing is that people who engage in non-normative sexual behavior will have more legal protection than heterosexuals. This kind of inequality before the law is simply un-American."

Wildmon said the legislation creates possible situations where pastors may be arrested if their sermons on sexuality can be linked in even the remotest way to acts of violence.

"It threatens free speech and freedom of religion and is totally unacceptable," he said.

As WND reported, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder admitted a homosexual activist who is attacked following a Christian minister's sermon about homosexuality would be protected by the proposed federal law, but a minister attacked by a homosexual wouldn't be.

The Alliance Defense Fund blasted the "hate-crimes" bill, calling it "another nail in the coffin of the First Amendment."

"All violent crimes are hate crimes, and all crime victims deserve equal justice," ADF Senior Legal Counsel Erik Stanley said in a statement. "This law is a grave threat to the First Amendment because it provides special penalties based on what people think, feel, or believe. ADF will be on the front line to defend those whose free speech or free exercise of religion rights are violated by this unconstitutional law and to ultimately overturn this attack on freedom."

Opponents point to cases in Canada and Sweden, where Christians have faced criminal prosecution for preaching that homosexual behavior is a sin.

"ADF has clearly seen the evidence of where 'hate crimes' legislation leads when it has been tried around the world: It paves the way for the criminalization of speech that is not deemed 'politically correct,'" Stanley explained. "'Hate crimes' laws fly in the face of the underlying purpose of the First Amendment, which was designed specifically to protect unpopular speech."

Stanley said such crimes are already punishable under existing federal, state and local laws.

"Bills of this sort are designed to forward a political agenda and silence critics, not combat actual crime," he said. "The bottom line is that we do not need a law that creates second-class victims in America and that gives the government the opportunity to ignore the First Amendment."

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, testified before Congress against the hate crimes bill in 2007.

"It is fundamentally unjust for the government to treat some crime victims more favorably than others, just because they are homosexual or transsexual," Dacus said. "This bill is an unnecessary federal intrusion into state law enforcement authority, and it is an unwise step toward silencing religious and moral viewpoints."

He said the adoption of hate crimes legislation has led to widespread suppression of speech deemed politically incorrect. The Pacific Justice Institute noted that in California, hate crimes laws are commonly invoked as a basis for further laws pushing acceptance of homosexuality in public schools and the workplace. The group also warned that use of "hate speech" terminology is also now being employed by minority religious groups in America to encourage suppression of free speech, as a prominent Hindu group called on Congress and major Internet service providers to shut down websites critical of Hinduism, including websites of Christian mission organizations.

The Pacific Justice Institute pledged to come to defend anyone who is prosecuted under the new hate crimes law because of their religious expression.

Liberty Counsel litigation counsel Matt Krause told WND, "It's a very sad day for America and for religious liberties in general."

He said the law will not deter crime or help the law-enforcement system.

"The only thing it will do is silence and scare Christians and religious organizations," Krause said. "It will penalize thoughts and actions, and it will not stop crime. It should be called the 'thought-crimes' bill."

He continued, "We encourage pastors and church leaders to keep doing what they're doing and preach the gospel. If they run into any barriers, they can contact us because we are ready and willing to defend them in any way we need to."

The White House announced it will host a reception this evening to commemorate the enactment of the hate crimes legislation. Obama's remarks will be aired live on the White House website.

2009-10-22T23:41:00.002-05:00

5 Ways You're Different From Joel Osteen (and other megachurch pastors)

1. They see themselves more as teachers and directional leaders than as pastors.
2. Their gift is leadership.
3. They have secular work experience.
4. They admit little conflict, high satisfaction.
5. They don't think about quitting.

(Taken from Leadership Journal - Fall 2009 issue)

2009-10-20T08:43:00.001-05:00

By His Stripes

2009-10-19T08:42:00.000-05:00

Speak Up!

This tuesday the senate will vote on the national defense bill which includes language about hate crimes legislation which will make it illegal to speak against homosexuality, pedophilia, beastiality, transgenderism, etc. It has already passed the ho...use and must not go any further. Capital switchboard is 202-224-3121. Let your voice be heard!!!

(Received from Dale Shaver)

2009-10-14T08:24:00.002-05:00

Right...

So a child gets in trouble for bringing a cub scout utensil to school (possible detention for 45 days, etc.), but it's okay for us as a nation to kill babies?!? Looks like we have our priorities a bit backwards...don't you think?!?

2009-10-06T08:28:00.001-05:00

MBA of Texas Pre-Association Meeting

I will represent the Mt. Zion Association today at the Pre-Assocation Meeting held at Rocky Springs Baptist Church in Dialville. Pray that we can seek God's will for the associated Great Commission Work in Texas.

2009-09-28T08:24:00.002-05:00

Faith Promise Conference

Starting Wednesday night, EBC will hold its 4th annual Faith Promise Conference with Bro. Alvin Dickerson, Missionary to Scotland, as the featured speaker. Please pray for him and the conference. Service times are as follows: Wed-Sat at 7:00 pm. Saturday night will be our International Dinner. Sunday at 9:45 with a commitment service at 10:45 am.

2009-09-21T08:34:00.001-05:00

125th Anniversary

Ebenezer Baptist Church will hold special services celebrating its 125th Anniversary this Sunday at 10:45 am. All friends, family members, and former members are invited.

2009-09-16T08:53:00.001-05:00

Just Wondering

Which is worse: Being addicted to smoking or being addicted to caffeine?

2009-09-15T08:48:00.002-05:00

A Pastor Is...

According to I Timothy, a Pastor is to be the husband of one wife, but according to the latest statistics from Barna, many Protestant denominations must not really use those guidelines for pastoral eligibility requirements. Barna reports that the number of "female pastors" has increased greatly from a decade ago which is a concern to me. I'm not sure how you can get around the "husband of one wife" ordeal (and we're not going to argue divorce issues this time please) unless you just totally disregard that section of Scripture. And no, Paul was not a sexist that wanted to keep women down. He just followed God's plan for men and women. Men have certain responsibilities and women have certain responsibilities. What is so wrong with that? Why do we feel the need to make everyone the same. We're not the same! Men and women are different! Individuals are different! Sometimes, I'm different! Anyway, I wonder what will be the result of such a massive move toward women pastors?

2009-09-14T09:32:00.003-05:00

Revive Us Again?

I am enjoying the Revival Services at Cedar Creek MBC in the Palestine/Elkhart area this week. The people are truly thirsty for God's Word and have been wonderful to my family and me. However, it has started me to think about how churches and individuals respond to revival services. (The following has nothing whatsoever to do with Cedar Creek MBC. It just so happens that I started thinking about how people respond to revivals because I'm preaching a revival!)

When is the last time you really were affected by a revival? I mean, affected for months or years, not just days? When is the last time you really experienced a revival? Was it even during revival services? Do we sometimes hold revival services, but then nothing seems to happen? Are we just in a mode of, "We must have a revival every year" just to soothe our conscience? Do we have to have a revival every year? Should we maybe be revived every Sunday? Or should we stay in a state of revival from the Lord?

2009-09-11T11:43:00.003-05:00

Fun Friday Video Of The Day

Umm...well, I really don't even know what the point is behind this video, but I thought the technical capabilities of the person (or persons) who developed the video was awesome. So, just sit back, relax, and don't even try to figure it out.

2009-09-10T22:50:00.002-05:00

Mt. Sinai

According to the studies, research, and Biblical information from which I am drawing my conclusion, it seems that Mt. Sinai is incorrectly located on most Bible maps (probably including the one in the back of your Bible). The current Mt. Sinai location is not feasible according to the geography, terrain, Biblical description, etc. However, most people are still taught that Mt. Sinai is in the Sinai peninsula. Yet, it is more likely that Mt. Sinai is actually located in the Arabian peninsula (ancient Midian). This would answer several questions and fit with Scripture much tighter than a Sinai peninsula location. Now, to keep this blog short, I will not give any further info, but if you would like to have more facts, just email me. And as always...what do you think?

2009-09-09T10:38:00.002-05:00

A Death Prayer?

I do not condone President Obama's ungodly stance on certain issues, yet I read that we are to pray for him. We are to pray for him, but not for the death of him! This video is one of many addressing this issue. While it is on YouTube, it is from the Associated Press (AP) channel. (I have been aware of this pastor for awhile because he has made other very controversial statements in the past.)

2009-09-04T13:13:00.001-05:00

Teamwork 101

2009-09-02T01:26:00.001-05:00

Best-Selling Bible To Undergo Revision

By ERIC GORSKI, AP Religion Writer Eric Gorski, Ap Religion Writer Tue Sep 1, 5:55 pm ET

The top-selling Bible in North America will undergo its first revision in 25 years, modernizing the language in some sections and promising to reopen a contentious debate about changing gender terms in the sacred text. The New International Version, the Bible of choice for conservative evangelicals, will be revised to reflect changes in English usage and advances in Biblical scholarship, it was announced Tuesday. The revision is scheduled to be completed late next year and published in 2011.

"We want to reach English speakers across the globe with a Bible that is accurate, accessible and that speaks to its readers in a language they can understand," said Keith Danby, global president and CEO of Biblica, a Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Christian ministry that holds the NIV copyright.

But past attempts to remake the NIV for contemporary audiences in different editions have been plagued by controversies about gender language that have pitted theological conservatives against each other.

The changes did not make all men "people" or remove male references to God, but instead involved dropping gender-specific terms when translators judged that the original text didn't intend it. So in some verses, references to "sons of God" became "children of God," for example.

Supporters say gender-inclusive changes are more accurate and make the Bible more accessible, but critics contend they twist meaning or smack of political correctness.

Acknowledging past missteps, the NIV's overseers are promising that this time, the revision process will be more transparent and that they will actively promote what they describe as a long-held practice of inviting input from scholars and readers.

The NIV was first published in 1978 and more than 300 million NIV Bibles are in print worldwide; its publishers and distributors say the translation accounts for 30 percent of Bibles sold in North America.

The Committee on Bible Translation, an independent group of conservative scholars and translators formed in 1965 to create and revise the NIV, will oversee the new revision.

An effort earlier this decade to create a separate version of the NIV that used more gender-inclusive language in an attempt to reach a younger audience fell flat with groups that felt it crossed the line.

That edition, Today's New International Version, will cease publication once the new-look NIV is released, said Moe Girkins, president of Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Zondervan, its North American publisher.

"Whatever its strengths, the TNIV has become an emblem of division in the evangelical Christian world," Girkins said.

It was the TNIV that ushered in changes from "sons of God" to "children of God," or "brothers" to "brothers and sisters." In Genesis I, God created "human beings" in his own image instead of "man."

Many prominent pastors and scholars endorsed the changes. But critics said masculine terms in the original should not be tampered with. Some warned that changing singular gender references to plural ones alters what the Bible says about God's relationships with individuals.

The Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution saying the edition "has gone beyond acceptable translation standards."

"We fell short of the trust that has been placed in us," said Danby, of Biblica. "We failed to make a clear case for the revisions."

Danby said that freezing the NIV in its 1984 state was also a mistake, however. He emphasized that in the revision, about 90 percent of the NIV will be unchanged.

Douglas Moo, a professor at Wheaton College and chairman of the Committee on Bible Translation, said the group is committed to "a complete review of every gender related change."

"I am not sure how it's going to come out," Moo said. "We have a genuine, authentic review process ... Everything is on the table."

One of the most vocal critics of gender-inclusive translations, Randy Stinson of the Louisville, Ky.-based Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, said the group supports updating the NIV. He credited organizers for their openness.

"We're still probably going to differ on the way they handle some of the gender language," Stinson said. "But we're open and anxious to see what they come up with and we're really going to be reserving judgment."

Most changes will have nothing to do with gender inclusivity, Moo said. And the TNIV provides a glimpse of likely changes: In the '84 NIV, Mary is "with child," but in the TNIV she is "pregnant." In the NIV version of Psalm 146:9, "The Lord watches over the alien." The TNIV used "foreigner" instead of "alien."

On the Net: Yahoo News! or at www.NIVBible2011.com

2009-09-01T02:49:00.003-05:00

125 Years

Ebenezer BC is celebrating 125 years of God's blessings. Ebenezer was organized in September 1884 and has seen hard times and good times. However, through all things, God has blessed and been faithful. Join with us this month as we celebrate this special anniversary and pray for God's blessing upon us. Pray for us, as well, to remain faithful to Him in all things. And happy birthday Ebenezer!

2009-08-31T11:38:00.001-05:00

The Government Can by Tim Hawkins

2009-08-30T00:31:00.001-05:00

Kosova Missionary

We are excited to have Dave Helmick and family with us for worship services this weekend. Dave is a missionary serving the Lord in Kosova. Continue to pray for him and his family.

Evangelical Lutherans abandon Bible teaching on homosexuality (OneNewsNow.com)

2009-08-24T08:37:00.001-05:00

Evangelical Lutherans abandon Bible teaching on homosexuality (OneNewsNow.com)

Shared via AddThis

2009-08-21T12:31:00.000-05:00

What Old People Do For Fun

2009-08-20T13:05:00.002-05:00

What God Can't Do

Logically speaking, there are some things God can't do. Would you care to name one?

2009-08-18T08:42:00.000-05:00

Man carrying assault weapon attends Obama protest

By AMANDA LEE MYERS and TERRY TANG, Associated Press Writers Amanda Lee Myers And Terry Tang, Associated Press Writers Mon Aug 17, 6:22 pm ET

PHOENIX – About a dozen people carrying guns, including one with a military-style rifle, milled among protesters outside the convention center where President Barack Obama was giving a speech Monday — the latest incident in which protesters have openly displayed firearms near the president.

Gun-rights advocates say they're exercising their constitutional right to bear arms and protest, while those who argue for more gun control say it could be a disaster waiting to happen.

Phoenix police said the gun-toters at Monday's event, including the man carrying an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle slung over his shoulder, didn't need permits. No crimes were committed, and no one was arrested.

The man with the rifle declined to be identified but told The Arizona Republic that he was carrying the assault weapon because he could. "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms," he said.

Phoenix police Detective J. Oliver, who monitored the man at the downtown protest, said police also wanted to make sure no one decided to harm him.

"Just by his presence and people seeing the rifle and people knowing the president was in town, it sparked a lot of emotions," Oliver said. "We were keeping peace on both ends."

Last week, during Obama's health care town hall in Portsmouth, N.H., a man carrying a sign reading "It is time to water the tree of liberty" stood outside with a pistol strapped to his leg.

"It's a political statement," he told The Boston Globe. "If you don't use your rights, then you lose your rights."

Police asked the man to move away from school property, but he was not arrested.

Fred Solop, a Northern Arizona University political scientist, said the incidents in New Hampshire and Arizona could signal the beginning of a disturbing trend.

"When you start to bring guns to political rallies, it does layer on another level of concern and significance," Solop said. "It actually becomes quite scary for many people. It creates a chilling effect in the ability of our society to carry on honest communication."

He said he's never heard of someone bringing an assault weapon near a presidential event. "The larger the gun, the more menacing the situation," he said.

Phoenix was Obama's last stop on a four-day tour of western states, including Montana and Colorado.

Authorities in Montana said they received no reports of anyone carrying firearms during Obama's health care town hall near Bozeman on Friday. About 1,000 people both for and against Obama converged at a protest area near the Gallatin Field Airport hangar where the event took place. One person accused of disorderly conduct was detained and released, according to the Gallatin Airport Authority.

Heather Benjamin of Denver's Mesa County sheriff's department, the lead agency during Obama's visit there, said no one was arrested.

Arizona is an "open-carry" state, which means anyone legally allowed to have a firearm can carry it in public as long as it's visible. Only someone carrying a concealed weapon is required to have a permit.

Paul Helmke, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said people should not be allowed to bring guns to events where Obama is.

"To me, this is craziness," he said. "When you bring a loaded gun, particularly a loaded assault rifle, to any political event, but particularly to one where the president is appearing, you're just making the situation dangerous for everyone."

He said people who bring guns to presidential events are distracting the Secret Service and law enforcement from protecting the president. "The more guns we see at more events like this, there's more potential for something tragic happening," he said.

Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said armed demonstrators in open-carry states such as Arizona and New Hampshire have little impact on security plans for the president.

"In both cases, the subject was not entering our site or otherwise attempting to," Donovan said. "They were in a designated public viewing area. The main thing to know is that they would not have been allowed inside with a weapon."

Representatives of the National Rifle Association did not return calls for comment.

Yahoo News